Torpedo exploder



y 4, 1953 J. MJ'STOCKARD 2,645,180

TORPEDO EXPLODER Filed Nov. 17, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR JOHN M. 5 7' OGKARD ATTORNEY July 14', 1953' J. M. STOCKA RD TORPEDO EXPLODER 3 SheetsSheet 2 Filed Nov. 17, 1949 m A O K m w a m mm m7 V g m J |||l HV I m M d N x 9 6 H m. W M m Y B 4 FIG. 3'

July 14, 1953 J. M. STOCKARD 2,645,130

TORPEDO EXPLODER Filed Nov. 17, 1949 '3 Sheets-Sheet 3 EXPLOSIVE amass mlljjxilmm .INVENTOR JOHN M. STOGKARD ATTORNEY Patented July 14, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TORPEDO EXPLODER John M. Stockard, Washington, D. C. Application November 17, 1949, Serial No. 127,902

18 Claims. (01. 10217) (Granted under Title 35, U. S. Code (1952),

see. 266) 1 This invention relates to improvements in torpedoes, but more specifically in exploders for detonating the warhead when the torpedo strikes its target. As is common knowledge in persons acquainted with mechanisms of this sort, an exploder isa device fixed in the shell of the warhead and is surrounded by the'main explosive charge. Itis the function of the exploder to detonate said charge by contact of the-torpedo with the target. Tolproperly serve its purpose the exploder must meet a number of established requirements among which are (a) to keep the exploder mechanism dormant while the torpedo remains housed inthe torpedo tube and to keep it inoperative duringthe first part of its run'so as to save the firing vessel from damage in case of a premature detonating action of said mechanism, (1)) to insure the explosion of the torpedo when it strikes its target, and (c) to lock the exploder when the torpedo sinks in case of having missed the target, so that the main explosive charge cannot be detonated either by hitting bottom or by the sudden shock due to the collapse of certain portions of the torpedo shell under hydrostatic pressure.

Under this broadoutline the invention has several principal objects, one of which,'directed towardkeeping the exploder mechanism initially dormant, is to provide an impeller shield forypreventing a premature flow of water through the impeller channel, and to hold said shield down before the torpedo is inserted into the tube by means of a safety block which must be removed before the torpedo can enter the tube.

the impeller channel with forceenough to move' the impeller. 7

'Another object of the invention is to utilize the foregoing shield for two diverse purposes, first to prevent the fiowing of a water stream through the impeller channel during the inactive status of the torpedo, second to deflect water from the slipstream after the torpedo is launched to direct the maximum current against the impeller.

Another object of the invention is to provide an indicator spindle as an auxiliary to the arming mechanism which, initially retracted, is progressively protruded from the exploder case beyond the surface of the warhead shell in the event of unpremeditated movement of the arming plunger from its safe position, which protrusion, if of sufarming plunger, in addition to its function of moving the explosive train into proximity with the firing 'pin and booster charge, for initially locking the firing pendulum and ultimately cocking the firing pin, these extremes representing the unarmed and armed conditions of the torpedo,

Another object of the invention is to insure the firing of the torpedo when it strikes the target, by providing a universally swingable pendulum which is defiectable in any angular direction opposite to the direction of deceleration of the torpedo, to displace the firing pin sear from the cocked firing pin.

Another object of the invention is to render the torpedo indefinitely inactive, hence safe, by providing a hydrostatically operable plunger looking the firing pin against movement from its cocked position in the event of sinking of the torpedo to the bottom, the increasing hydrostatic pressure acting through the plunger to swing a latch into an obstructing position in respect to the firing pin sear. Such action is strategically desirable so that a torpedo which misses will not warn the enemy of atorpedo attack by exploding when it sinks at the end of its run.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accom' panying drawings wherein:

. Fig. l is a central, vertical section of theimproved exploder, the mechanism being shown in its initial or unarmed position;

Fig. 2 is a central, vertical section of a portion of the exploder, showing the firing mechanism in the ready-to-fire or armed position;

, .Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig; is a detail central, vertical section taken substantially on the line 44 of Fig. 3, some of the working parts being shown in skeleton form as though the section were taken centrally through Fig. 1, some of the mechanism being omiitted, however, to avoid a needless repetition of par s;

Fig. 5 is a detailside elevation of the lower part of the exploder housing; and

Fig. 6 is a detail cross section taken online 6-6 of Fig. 1. v t In carrying out the invention, the warhead shell it! is provided with an opening II large enough to expose the arming train housing !2 and to permit its being lifted out when the occasion demands. This housing fits inside of the largestdiametered and stepped part [3 of the exploder case I4 which extends inwardly of the torpedo. The flange I5 of the part I3 closely contacts the inside of the shell I0, and a seam iii of welding at once permanently secures the case and seals the opening Ii.

The exploder case I4 is surrounded by the main explosive charge of the warhead (Fig. 4).

Its showing in Figs. 1 and 4 as though depending from the shell I0 was largely a matter of choice in illustration. Actually andin' practice the exploder case may stand upright from the bottom of the warhead, in which position its weight will tend to assist in stabilizing thetorpedo against rolling. The axis of the exploder is intended to be perpendicular to the axis of the torpedo and in a vertical plane.

Exploder housing I8 contains the working parts of the exploder per se and the booster charge I9 which is necessary in order that the relatively weak explosion of the small but sensitive percussion cap shall cause the explosion of the-main explosive charge in the warhead of the torpedo. This housing is mounted in the exploder case I4 against a watertight gasket 2I. The terminal flange 22 of the housing I8 rests on a step in the part I3, to which it issecured by a' number of bolts 24 (Fig. 1).

Bolts 25 (Fig. 4) secure the arming train housing I2 to the exploder housing I8 independently of the exploder case I4. This intercoupling is. a practical convenience. By removing the bolts 25 the arming train housing I2 can be'removed,-as may be desirable for any one of a number of reasons, without disturbing the exploder housing I8 or its contents. Similarly, by removing tlie bolts 24 both housings I2 and I4 can be lifted out as a unit, so that the engagement between the worm 26 and wormgear 21 is,

not broken.

The worm 26 is part of a geartrain carried by the housing I2 and projecting in part into'the;

cavity 28 in the upper part of, thehousing I8. The'remainder of the gear train consists of spur gears 30, 3I and 32 (Fig. 3) ending at the impeller 33 to the shaft 35 of which thegear 32 is afiixed,

all mounted in the arming train housing I2, andof. wormgear 2.1 which is mounted onithe exploder:

housing I8. The housing I2 is depressedin its outer face to define a channel, 36 in which the impeller is rotated by a sufiiciently strong-flow of water. This rotation drives thewormgear 21 at theother endiof the gear train, in turn rotating,

screw 42. Said block protrudes beyond the largestdiameter of a torpedo tube, hencemust be removed before the torpedo can enter. The presence of the safety block is a signal that the torpedo is unarmed and will remain unarmeduntil the block is removed. This. can .be

This prevents the possibility of 4 done either by backing the screw 42 out or, if it is not desired to interrupt the loading of the torpedo into the tube, the torpedo can simply be thrust into the tube whereupon the screw will shear. The safety block will then be knocked clear without injury to any part other than the screw, the block having first servedits-function ofassuring that the impeller shield was held'down until it entered the torpedo tube. V

The shield is still held down, now by the wall of the torpedo tube. Even though water should be'driven into the tube, as is possible in a high sea, water cannot enter the channel 36 with force enough to turn the impeller 33. It is not until the torpedo is launched that the shield 4| swings open to the chain-line position in Fig. 1, whereupon it acts as a scoop to direct a stream of water against the. impeller with maximum force. The shield thus serves two purposes. First, it excludes water to the extent of building up a stream in the channel 36, second, itbecomes a scoop to deflect water from the slipstream intothe channel to drive the impeller with full force.

To these ends the shield 4| is. hinged upon.

bushings 43 (Fig. 3) in which the cylindrical ends. of the shaft 35 have bearing. The shield has side.

plates 44 that ride the bushings, and thereafter converge into a single arm 45 to which one end of a spring 46 is connected. The other end of the spring is anchored to a lug 41 which, together with a lip 48, is secured to the housing I2by a.

common screw. The lip confronts the impeller and directs the water against the blades to the. best advantage. When the shield is released, the

the screw 31 will be translated only into a rectilinear movement of the arming plunger 53. The screw 31 goes through an internally threaded insert 54 in the outer end of a bore 55 in the arming plunger. Initially the arming plunger assumes the in position shown in Fig- 1. In this position it performs two important but secondary func 'tions.

At one side. the armingplunger 53 has secured to it a key 56 which rigidly carries a ring 58. This ring initially embraces the firing pendulum 59 (Fig. 1), The pendulum consists of a weight that has an integral stem 60 which ends in a ball. The

ball is socketed by a fittin 6| in a, concavity in what can be called the head 62 of the exploder housing I8. This fitting is clamped against the head by a turreted ring 63 which also provides a base for the frusto-conically contoured spring 65. The small end of the spring engages the back of the pendulum, pushing outwardly against the. pendulum to tend to keep it erect with respect to the head 62. Later on, when the torpedo strikes thetarget, the pendulum is deflected because of its inertia, thus firing the torpedo as is brought out below.

The ball and socket mounting of the pendulum 59 makes it universally swingable so that the deflection can take place in any angular direction. Under that premise the pendulum could be deflected even by a laterally directed blow whilethe torpedo is in-aninactive status. However,.the ring 58 embraces. the. pendulumv and,

barrel 19 into the bore 89.

at this time prevents any swinging so that the torpedo cannot be exploded by that means. The arming plunger 53 thus serves one of two secondary functions, namely to lock the pendulum in the unarmed status of the torpedo.

An angled passageway in that end of the plunger 53 opposite to the insert 54 contains the percussion cap 20 in one of its components and a number of explosive pellets 66 in its other component. The cap 29is directed toward the firing pin 61,. and ultimately registers with it, and the pellets 66 are directed toward the booster charge i9. But while the arming plunger 53 occupies the in position, the cap- 29 is out of registration with the firing pin (Fig. 1), and the the booster charge.

If, by some remote chance, the cap and pellets should become prematurely detonatedvthe gas would immediately escape through a now uncovered port 68 in the housing 18 and expand in the case M, and thus avoid exploding the booster charge 49. The arming plunger 53 thus serves the other one of its secondary functions. At this point it may be added that in practice the firing pin 61 (the'pointed part of it) and the cap 20 will be duplicated, side by side, to obtain greater assurance of firing. Having provided this extra assurance, it is doubly important to hold the cap and pellets out of range when the exp-loder is unarmed, thus to guard against the contingency of accidental detonation.

The primary purpose of the plunger 53 is to arm the torpedo. This is done by rotation of the impeller 33, as has been brought out, and the consequent driving of the gear train 32, 3|, 39, 2B, 21 and the screw 31. The arming plunger is thus moved from the in position in Fig. l to the out position in Fig. 2. In arriving at that position the ring 58 no longer shields the pendulum 59 so that the latter becomes free to swing in any radial direction, and the cap 29 assumes registration with the firing pin;

Also in arriving in that position, the key 56 bears down on a pin 69 and rocks the bell-cranks 10, from the long arms of which it projects to bridge the distance between them (Fig. 6). The bell-cranks are fulcrumed at 12 to the relatively fixed housing 18, and as the rocking occurs links 13 pull on the pin 74 of a crosshead F5 to cause compression (Fig. 2) of the firing spring 16. For this purpose the ends of the links 13 are connected to the short arms of the bell-cranks H1 and to the ends of the crosshead pin i l. The latter. rides in slots 18 in the sides of the firing pin barrel E9. The slots fix the limits of movement of the crosshead 15 in the bore 89 of the barrel.

-When the spring 16 is compressed, the pin 61 is ready to fire the cap 20 and would do so were it not that the sear 8! which constitutes detent means holds the bolt 82 of the firing pin cocked. For that purpose one side of the bolt has a notch 83 occupied by a lug 8d protruding from the adj acent side of the sear. The other other side of the bolt has a slot 85 which contains the end of a headed stud or screw 86 driven through the The stud prevents turning of the bolt but does notinterfere with its, rectilinear movement. Thefiring pin (or pins) 61 is secured into that end of the bolt nearest the plunger 53.

The opposite endof the bolt is cupped at 81 to contain most of the spring 16, especially in the cooked and armed position. The spring exerts pellets 66 are spaced an appreciable distance from pressure against the crosshead 15 even when partly expanded as in Fig. 1 and thereby holds the bell-crank pin 69 firmly against the key 56 so that there never is any lost motion between the two. The free ends of the links 13 have keyhole slots 88 (Figs. 1 and 2) while the ends of the cross head pin 14 have annularly machined grooves (Fig. 6) to fit in them. The connection is made by simply inserting the heads of the pin 14 in the large parts of the keyholes, then sliding the necks as far back as they will go in the slots. This is a convenience in manufacture and assembly.

Going back to the cooked position of the firing pin bolt 82, it is observed in Figs. 1 and 2 that its holding sear 8| is under the permanent and inescapable control of the pendulum 59. This is accomplished by a rod 99, the ball ends of which are socketed in the sear and in the pendulum. The stem 60 and rod 99 stay in the straight line shown as long as the torpedo remains unarmed and during its armed run, but in the last instance, when the pendulum lacks the restraint of the shielding ring 58, the impact of the torpedo with the target and its consequent jarring will deflect the pendulum. Since the swinging is on the are of a circle, it follows that the rod 90 will be pulled upon and the sear will go .with it.. The consequent release of the bolt 82 from the lug 84 will enable the firing spring 16 to act.

The sear BI is pivoted at 9| to and between ribs 92 (Fig. 4) that stand up from the barrel 19. These ribs also guide the sear in its rather small arc of movement, making sure that full advantage is derived from the canting of the rod 99. The free end of the sear has a. contactable portion 93 which may be engaged by the foot 94 of a latch 95 toimmobilize the sear. This latch always stands clear of the. sear 8| (Figs. 1 and 2) and never moves from that position unless the torpedo should miss. its target and sink at the end of its run to a depth in the sea Whereat the hydrostatic pressure displaces the plunger 96.

A spring 91 of considerable strength ordinarily keeps the hydrostatic plunger extended in its packed passageway in the housing head 62. The extension is limited by the engagement of a cotter pin 98 or its equivalent with an adjacent part of the housing I8. One end of the spring bears against that part. The other end bears against the inside of a thimble 99 which houses most of it. The thimble slides on the stem end I09 of the plunger which, in turn, is slidable in the housing part and which has the cotter pin thrust through it. The thimble bears against the shoulder between the two diameters of the hydrostatic plunger, and it has a grooved collar llll in which confronting studs I92 ride. These studs project inwardly of a portion of the latch 95 by which they are carried;

The latch 95 is pivoted at I03, and when the hydrostatic pressure forces the plunger 96 inwardly the latch 95 is rocked on its pivot until the foot'94 assumes a position over the portion 93. Then the sear cannot be lifted high enough by a swinging of the pendulum to release the bolt 82, hence the firing pin 6! remains cooked for an indefinite time. The same spring pressure which keeps the plunger 96 at the limit of its extension also holds the latch 95 tightly against the adjacent part of the housing 18. The latch does not swing freely, therefore will never get into position to obstruct the sear 8! in the normal operation of the torpedo.

Account is taken herein of the remote possibilityof operatin theyarming train, namely the;- impeller 33, the gearing and the arming screw 31, 7

that condition would show at the indicatorspindle I34 (Fig. 4). This is a long-headed, screw, the

fiat sides of the head ofwhich bear. against the correspondingly shaped bore 105 to permit extension but prevent turning of the indicator spindle. To provide for the extension a worm wheel I06 with a swivel mounting on part of the housing I2 is screwed onto the threaded part of the stem. This wheel is driven by the worm: l! (Fig; 3). which is part of the shaft I08 that carriesthe gear 36, hence is part .of the arming gear train. Normally the exposed end of the indicatorspin dle'is flush with outer surface of the. warhead shell H3, or nearly so (Fig.- 4),. arming train is prematurely'operated', the farther will the indicator spindle emerge from its recess. 'If the operation continues until aidanr gerous degree of arming is reached the indicator spindle will protrude so far as toprevent loading of the torpedo into the tube.

The operation of the exploder, briefly reviewed.

is as follows. The safety block all having been removed while loading the torpedo into a torpedo tube, and the torpedo having been launched from the tube, forward motion of the'torpedo through the water causes rotation of the arm- 5 ing impeller 33.. The gear train driven by it and the arming'screw. 37 move. the. plunger 53 from its safe position. (Fig. 1) to .its "armed position (Fig. 2), with the following effects:

The percussion cap 29 is registered with the firing pin 61 and the pellets 66 are brought close to the booster charge I9. The firing spring 16is compressed. The restraint imposed-upon swinging of the firing pendulum 59- by the shielding ring Wis-removed. Subsequently, should the torpedostrike any object with such violence that the inertia of the firing pendulum overcomes the resistance of the spring 65, the firing pin bolt 82=is released from thesear 8| so that the firing pin 6 i fires the warhead.

Should the torpedo run down without so striking any object, it will, according to standard practiceand rulespf warfare; sink: Having sunk to apredetermined depth it will be rendered safe againstbeing detonated by theexploder, through the action of the hydrostatic plunger 96 and latch 95-and the. sear 8 I. ered desirable from a military point of view,

since sinking torpedoes have exploded either-- due to hitting bottom or by sudden shock due to collapse of certain portions under hydrostatic pressure, thus disclosing an attack to the enemy.

Obviously many modifications and variations of'the present invention are possible inthe'light of the above teachings. understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise. than as specifically described.

.Theinvention described herein may be manufactured and-.used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the paymentof any royalties thereon or therefor.

What is claimed is:

1. In an underwater torpedo exploder; an ex- The longer the;

The last provision is consid-' It is therefore to be- Y uallyremovable means securing the holding; means to a part of the exploder, being shearable' upon striking of the holding means against the ploder case locatedin the warhead of the torpedo and containing an assembly of, mechanism for detonating the warhead during the run of'the, torpedo toward a target, said mechanism including an impeller revoluble by a water fiow past it to activate the mechanism, and ashield hinged on the case near theimpeller initially closing 01f, accessof waterto prevent such flow to the impeller but'beingswingable on its hinge. to a. displaced position to deflect water from the-torpedo slipstream and divert some of said flow onto;

the impeller.

2'. In an exploder for an underwater. torpedo.- loadable into a tube for launching, said exploder having a firing train for the warhead, an impeller for assisting'in arming the firing train, a shield hinged to a part of the exploder near the impeller, being in an initially closed position to prevent a water flow past the impeller but.

swingable on its hinge to an open position to defiect water onto the impeller from the slipstream of the torpedo after-launching, and a block temporarily afiixed to a part of the exploder,- initially overlapping the shield to prevent opening thereof prior to the torpedo tube loading.

3. In an exploder for an underwater torpedo loadable into a-tube for launching, said exploder having a firing train for the warhead, an impeller for assisting in arming the firing train, a shield hinged to a part of the exploder near the impeller, being in an initially closed position to prevent a water flow past the impeller but swingable on its hinge to an open position to deflect wateronto the impeller from the slipstream of the torpedo after launching, a block protruding beyond the largest diameter of the tube and overlapping the shield to prevent premature opening, and a screw securing the block to a part of the exploder, being re movable to take on the block to enable loading, the torpedo into the tube.

4. In anexploder for an underwater torpedo loadable into a tube for launching, said exploder having a firing train for the warhead, an impeller for assisting in arming the firing train, a shield hinged to a part of the exploder near the impeller,

being in an initially closed position to prevent a.

water fiow past the impeller but swingable on its hinge to an open position to deflect water onto the,

impeller from the slipstream of the torpedo after launching, holding means protruding beyond the largest diameter of the tube and overlappingthei shield to prevent premature opening, and mantube when loading the torpedo into the tube in the event of omitting manual removal of the last means preliminarily to said loading.

5. In an exploder for an underwater torpedo loadable into a tube for launching, said exploder having, a firing train for the warhead, an impeller for assisting in arming the firing train, and a spring-biased shield hinged to a part of the exploder near the impeller, being held by the tube in an initially closed position to prevent a water flow indicator'spindle operatively coupled to the arm-- mechanism comprising:

ing train, being initially retracted in the warhead shell but extensible by premature rotation of the impeller and consequent operation of the armin train, to indicate a dangerous degree of arming and preventing loading the torpedo into the tube.

'peller, which if done prior to loading the torpedo into'the tube indicates a dangerous degree of arming and forms an obstruction to prevent said loading.

8. In a torpedo exploder adapted to be carried within a torpedo adjacent the warhead thereof, an arming member mounted for rectilinear movement within the exploder along a first axis, a firing pin mounted for rectilinear movement within the exploder along a second axis transverse to said first axis, a water actuated impeller carried by the exploder adapted r to be rotated by the slipstream adjacent the torpedo, means operatively connecting the impeller and member for moving the latter along said first axis in response to rotation of the impeller, a

firing train carried by the member having a termi nal end at one side thereof disposed laterally of said second axis when the member is in unarmed position and adapted to be bodily moved with the member in a direction toward said second axis to armed position wherein it is disposed within the path of movement of the firing pin, and means operable independent of said mechanism for moving the firing pin into contact with said terminal end.

9. In a torpedo exploder, an initially unarmed arming plunger in the exploder containing a firing train for the warhead of the torpedo, a firing pin directed toward the path of movement of the plunger, a spring pressing the firing pin toward impact with the firing train, a sear retaining the firing pin, an impeller-operable arming train oneratlvely coupled to the plunger to shift the plunger into arming position in respect to the firing pin, a key fixed on the arming plunger, and

means operatively coupling the key and spring to bulid up spring pressure against the firing pin as the plunger approaches the armed position.

10. In a torpedo exploder, a plunger movable toward an armed position, said plunger containing a firing train exposed at least at one point, a firing pin initially non-registering with said exposed point, a spring tending to force the firing pin toward impact with the exposed point, a sear retaining the firing pin, a crosshead backing the spring, and a coupling between the plunger and crosshead, acting upon movement of the plunger to the armed position to compress the spring, storing energy which when released will cause the firing pin to impact the then registering exposed point.

11. In a torpedo exploder, an arming plunger movable toward an armed position and containing a firing train exposed at least at one point, a

r pivoted bell-crank having a pin loosely riding a part of the plunger, a crosshead having a link connection with the bell-crank, a firing pin, a spring between the crosshead and firing pin, acting through the link to keep the firing pin in contact with said plunger part and tending to force the firing pin to strike said exposed point when the' plunger arrives at its armed position, and a sear temporarily retaining the firing pin.

12. In a torpedo exploder, a spring-biased firing pin, detent means holding the firing pin in a cooked position, a pendulum coupled to the detent means and reacting to a jarring of the exploder to displace the detent means, an arming plunger containing afiring train exposed at least at one point to the firing pin'when in an armed position but being movable to an unarmed position of non-registration of said point with the firing pin, and means carried by the plunger then embracing the pendulum to prevent its reaction to jarring.

13. In a torpedo exploder, a spring-biased firing pin, detent means holding the firing pin in a cooked position, a pendulum coupled to the detent means and reacting to a jarring of the exploder to displace the detent means, an arming plunger containing a firing train exposed at least at one point, said plunger assuming an unarmed position whereat said point is out of registration with the firing pin, and a shielding ring carriedby the plunger then embracing the pendulum to prevent its reaction to jarring.

14. In a torpedo exploder, a pendulum, an arming plunger assuming an unarmed position and containing a firing train exposed at least at one point, said plunger carrying a ring then embracing the pendulum to prevent its defiection, detent means to which the pendulum is coupled for displacement, a firing pin held in a cooked position by the detent means, and an arming train coupled to the plunger, being operable to move the plunger to an armed position of registration of the exposed point with the firing pin and at the same time remove the ring from its embracement of the pendulum.

15. In an exploder for a submarine torpedo, a housing having a head exposed to the water, a firing pin guided in the housing, detent means to hold the firing pin in a cooked position, a latch pivoted near the detent means, a plunger coupled to the latch and extending through a packed bearing in the head for access to its end by the water, and a spring initially both keeping the plunger to the limit of its extension and swinging the latch on its pivot tightly against a part of the housing to stand clear of the detent means.

16. In an underwater torpedo exploder, an exploder case functionally integral with the warhead shell and having a stepped part, exploder and arming housings telescoped in each other then telescoped as a unit in the exploder case, each of the housings containing respective exploder and arming mechanisms, a flange on the exploder housing on which the arming housing rests, said flange in turn being rested in the stepped part securing means by which the arming housing is secured to the exploder housing to compose a unitary structure of the two housings, and means securing the flange of the exploder housing to the stepped part of the exploder case independently of the arming housing, the removal of securing means of the arming housing enabling lifting out the arming housing without disturbing the mechanism in the exploder housing.

17. In a torpedo exploder, an exploder housin having a head, an arming plunger axially shiftably supported by said housing along a first axis and containing a firing train exposed at least at one point, a firing pin axially shiftably supported by said housing along a second axis extending :transversato said: first axis with 'which1said;.ex-

posed point'is registrable after being shifted along-said-firsti axis 'and towardsaid second axis,

detent means "carried by the housing tand' hol'ding theTfiringJpin in a cockedsposition priorto the arrival of said exposed point at'the place 0f regis- 'i'tratioh, a spring rbiased a-pendulum xunder "the head, and astemxan'd rod' irespectively swiveled to the "head, pendulum "and detent means, icon- -stituting a serial coupling which iseoperable"toallow swinging of the pendulum'iinany radial di-' 'rection 'andithereby 'produce a consonant dislodgement of theidetent means, and means-for continuously moving said plungerifrom its unarmed "position .to 1 its armed :position :as i the :torpedo"progresses throughwater.

18. Inran exploder'ifora submarine torpedo, a firing pin, :detent'mea'ns hol'din'gthe' 'firing r pin' in cockedposition, said detentmeans being p'ivoted at i one 'end'ian'd having a contactable portion at the" other end,-ia =1atch :pivoted adjacently to the detent "means, having' a" foot at one end, standingiclear Ofibllt vbeingin linewiththe contacta'ble .portion and having sat "its other end "a portion Withfconfronting studs, a spring=loadedthimble riding thestudaand a-plungerwhich isw-shouldered to bear on'thimble, being hydrostatically operable to shift the thimble counter to its-spring loading to swing the latch until its foot overlies the contactable portion thus to immobilize the detent means. Y

JOHN M. .STOCKARD; Z

References Cited in the file of this patent" (Addition to NO. 442,772) 

